Terry relishing Rodgers reunion

19 April 2013 06:47

John Terry is looking forward to renewing Brendan Rodgers' acquaintance on Sunday but hopes Chelsea can claim a crucial victory in their Champions League qualifying quest at Liverpool.

Much of the attention will be on Rafael Benitez's return to Anfield but Rodgers has a Chelsea connection, having coached the youth team at Stamford Bridge before senior management roles at Watford, Reading, Swansea and now Liverpool.

"I know Brendan very well," Terry said. "He's a great manager and was brilliant for myself and the other players. I can only speak highly of him. I'm looking forward to going back and seeing him but three points is a must for us again."

Terry continued: "When Jose (Mourinho) was there he was always around and a couple of times I was left out the side or injured.

"He (Rodgers) did a nice little video of me scoring goals, tackles and had a 15, 20-minute chat with me.

"At the time it was something nobody had ever done and it just goes to show his man-management and how well he's doing and how well he'll do in the future.

"It's little things like that which as a player it really gives you a boost when you're down. He was a real gentleman."

Terry expected Rodgers to be a successful manager.

"He was around quite a lot and fed off Jose and obviously learnt a lot from him," the former England captain added.

"You could see he definitely had it in him to go on. He had a great rapport with players in and around the training ground on a daily basis. He speaks different languages, which is obviously an added bonus for him."